By Baraka Simba
When she’s in a football pitch, people call her Kepha but her official name is Mildred Simiyu.
The young woman from Bungoma County made her name during the recently concluded Eldoret National Polytechnic Football Tournament — the Principal’s Cup.
With her heroics and skills, many football fans and fanatics believe she’s destined for greatness.
A look at Mildred Simiyu’s football journey
Mildred, currently playing for Eldoret Falcons, spoke to Uasin Gishu News and shared her journey.
“My parents are sportspeople. They have been of great support throughout my childhood and my journey in nurturing my sports talent,” she said.
“I really appreciate them. My uncles have also significantly influenced who I am today; I have been following in their footsteps.”
Which are Mildred Simiyu’s former schools?
Mildred ‘Kepha’ is a former student at Eluya Girls’ High School, where her dreams of refining her talent were born.
She later transferred to St. Augustine Girls’ High School, where she completed her third and fourth years and further developed her skills.
Kepha explained that her time at St. Augustine allowed her to sharpen her abilities and reach new heights as an athlete.
She fondly recalled being a formidable striker during her time there.
“I started playing at number 7. I was a good dribbler, and later on, my coach decided to move me to number 9, and I have been scoring many goals since then,” she said.
Her journey, however, was not without difficulties. In her final year of high school, the Eldoret National Polytechnic student faced several challenges, including pressure from her parents to prioritize academics over football.
She received immense support from friends. When she joined college in Eldoret, she continued to develop her talent — and now the future looks bright for her.
“Here at the Polytechnic, I must say that I have advanced and learned a lot in football. Whenever we have school games, the administration gives us allowances, something that really boosts our morale,” said Kepha.
Berin Barassa, one of her closest friends affirms to her brilliance.
She believes Kepha’s star is now shining brighter than ever.
“Kepha is my teammate. I have seen her prowess in sports, and for sure, the future is bright. It’s a challenge to other young ladies who love football to actively involve themselves in it,” said Barassa.
Kepha’s call on GBV fight
Meanwhile, as the globe is marking 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, Kepha emphasized the importance of addressing this issue in sports and beyond.
“The government should develop effective policies to protect everyone in the sports arena. It’s also an individual responsibility for sportsmen and women to take care of themselves. GBV cases should be reported immediately,” she emphasized.
In addition, the young footballer encouraged parents not to shy away from nurturing their children’s talents due to concerns about GBV.
“I would like to tell parents with talented children in football to allow them to participate. They should not, in any way, deny them the opportunity because of GBV. For real, that would be very unfortunate,” advised Kepha.
